Today I’m sharing my list of the best leadership books that changed how I think and what I do as a leader. This is a personal, field-tested list—books with stories and tools I still use.
Below are my picks for the best leadership books that actually changed how I lead.
How I chose these best leadership books
First, I looked for great reads and practical ideas you can apply right away. Next, I prioritized memorable stories that illustrate impact. Finally, I focused on habits that build trust, confidence, respect, alignment, and decision-making.
My picks: the 12 Best Leadership Books
1. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win — Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Overview: Willink and Babin are former Navy SEALs whose leadership was tried and tested under the most difficult of circumstances. For most of us, decisions are not life-or-death. However, for them, a bad decision could cost a life. So, the importance of getting it right cannot be overstated. After they learned key leadership lessons about taking responsibility, they formed a consultancy for corporate leaders. It’s a terrific read!
Why it’s on my list: To start, the principles translate cleanly from combat to the office. They show why there are no bad teams, only bad leaders.
Best for: Managers who want ownership to become the norm.
2. Measure What Matters — John Doerr
Overview: John Doerr worked with Andy Grove, the legendary CEO of Intel who transformed the company from a medium-sized memory device maker into a powerhouse microchip processor manufacturer. In this book, Doerr explains Grove’s leadership system of using clear goal setting (OKRs) and one-on-ones. These techniques are still relevant today. Doerr, a venture capitalist, helped introduce OKRs at Google; the system was later scaled by Google’s People Operations team. Under his leadership, he made every manager a master of building employees’ self-esteem, respect, and sense of ownership. Now you can read his book and do the same.
Why it’s on my list: In practice, goal setting and one-on-ones create clarity and traction across teams.
Best for: Leaders who need to align and motivate their teams.
3. Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family — Bob Chapman & Raj Sisodia
Overview: When Bob Chapman acquired a second manufacturing company, he had to merge the two. So, he wrote out his leadership philosophy on a piece of paper. That turned out to be the most impactful thing he ever did. Essentially, he created a leadership manifesto based on uncompromising trust and respect for workers. This way, he laid out the model for excellence in leadership. In fact, it was so successful that Chapman soon acquired more manufacturing companies and instituted the same playbook. In every case, poor management had lowered performance. Thus, he was able to buy the company for a good price and improve performance through better leadership. Now he runs not only his business but a consulting group to help others develop leadership principles that do the same. Ultimately, it’s an inspiring read that illustrates how good leadership is the key difference between high and low performance.
Why it’s on my list: It’s a culture playbook rooted in trust and respect that scales.
Best for: Owners/execs building a human-centered company and managers looking to improve team performance.
4. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking — Susan Cain
Overview: Cain, an introvert herself, reveals how her natural tendency to look inward helps her see into others. Specifically, she connects with others empathetically. Using empathy, she leads people through their own thoughts, often persuading without people even realizing she was leading. It’s a great skill and a great style to recognize when you come across it. Also, she offers introverts plenty of ways to get along and stay energized even in a busy workplace. Perhaps you’re an introvert. If so, this is a great book for you. However, if you are an extrovert, it’s an eye-opening look into the value of how other people lead.
Why it’s on my list: It expands what “strong leadership” can look like and honors different energy needs.
Best for: Introverts—and anyone who leads them.
5. Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life — Caroline Fleck
Overview: I’ve known about validation for a while, but Caroline Fleck’s book makes validation skills human, imperative, and surprisingly easy. To be sure, all these skills involve some level of empathy. Specifically, Fleck breaks validation into bite-sized behaviors. During her discussions, she provides engaging stories, and grounds her recommendations in research and experience. Most astounding of all, she reveals her own need for validation. Moreover, her personal stories are among the most compelling. It’s a great read. As a result of reading this book, you might incorporate the lessons into your management style, which is bound to lead to surprising results.
Why it’s on my list: Because the techniques are simple and repeatable, they boost trust, motivation, and make hard conversations easier.
Best for: Managers navigating feedback and change.
6. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In — Roger Fisher, William Ury & Bruce Patton
Overview: This classic text emerged from the Harvard Negotiation Project, where they train people to negotiate with terrorists and kidnappers. Specifically, it reveals secrets for negotiating successfully even in the toughest of circumstances. Surprisingly, the core skill for successful negotiation is empathy. For example, their approach centers around the idea of separating the people from the problem. Once you do that, you can be soft on people and tough on issues. This is advice that nearly everyone in business can use. As far as I’m concerned, if you are a manager, this is essential reading.
Why it’s on my list: Two key concepts: separate the person from the problem, and be soft on people while being tough on problems.
Best for: Managers, cross-functional leaders and deal-makers.
7. Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most — Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton & Sheila Heen
Overview: This is another book from the Harvard Negotiation Project. Difficult conversations are often best avoided. However, when the conversation is necessary, this is the book you need. I’ve recommended this book and its framework to clients facing the most distressing leadership challenges. For example, it has helped my clients face a rebellious team and a disgruntled former peer. The advice in this book includes starting difficult conversations with an admission of how you have contributed to the problem. When you admit your errors, it sets the stage for others to self-reflect. As a result, if you are patient, unrelentingly kind and empathetic, you can often make progress with even the most intractable curmudgeons.
Why it’s on my list: However, when the person is part of the problem, this framework keeps you steady.
Best for: Leaders facing performance issues, conflict, and difficult personalities.
8. Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things — Adam Grant
Overview: Grant is one of the most engaging writers around and one of the top researchers of organizational science, based at Wharton. He has a number of books, all worthwhile. What I like about this one is that he focuses on the concept of confident humility. Most people think that confidence and humility are incompatible, but Grant demonstrates how merging these two styles is really the most effective and likable leadership style. It’s a great way to win hearts and minds.
Why it’s on my list: Clearest explantaion of confident humility and why it’s effective. Additionally, Grant offers concrete ways to grow talent and resilience.
Best for: Leaders building learning cultures.
9. The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace — Amy C. Edmondson
Overview: Researchers have been studying the damaging effects of fear in the workplace for a few decades. Now this book by Amy Edmondson, the premier researcher on psychological safety, shows conclusively that a culture of based on fear or conformity simply does not work in a knowledge economy. In order to innovate, keep up with technology, and reduce errors, you need people to speak up. She shows how sensitive we are to protecting our sense of self-esteem, even at the expense of work results. This is the book to read if you want to find out why a culture of belonging and employee empowerment is the only way to succeed in business now.
Why it’s on my list: Because it shows how to invite people to speak up and fix mistakes faster.
Best for: Teams that need to speak up, innovate, and be motivated.
10. The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You — Karla McLaren
Overview: Okay, strictly speaking, this is not a leadership book. But this book will make you a better leader. It is an astounding read about how our emotions work to inform us about things we might otherwise miss. According to McLaren, every emotion is sending you a message. When you know what your emotions are saying, a lot of behavior that looked confusing before becomes suddenly clear. You will learn how to recognize people in various states of emotional upheaval and how to respond to them. Her own personal story makes the book even more resonant. It is a classic, now in its second edition and there is a workbook, too. Highly recommended for everyone.
Why it’s on my list: When you can read emotional cues, you lead better.
Best for: Managers who find themselves unsure of why people are acting the way they do.
11. Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment — Amir Levine & Rachel Heller
Overview: This too is not, strictly speaking, a leadership book. However, this too will make you a better leader because leaders have to understand their team members. So, this book will give you a simple and powerful framework to understand your team. The authors demonstrate how about half of the population has a secure attachment style. The other half is insecure, divided about evenly into people who are avoidant and needy. Perhaps you have already noticed team members in your workplace who are insecure. That is where a lot of problems come from. This book will help you understand their behaviors and needs, and give you ways to respond that will help re-establish calm and move forward productively. As a bonus, you will understand all your friends and family better too. Maybe, as the title promises, if you are looking for love, it will help you find that too.
Why it’s on my list: It’s a simple lens for understanding behavior at work.
Best for: Managers coaching different personalities.
12. Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire — Rebecca Henderson
Overview: Henderson, a Harvard Professor, demonstrates conclusively in this book how business models based on respect for human beings and the planet are the most profitable. There is a myth that caring about your people and sustainability is an expense and lowers profitability. In case after case, she examines why that myth is a complete falsehood and how companies that changed to more human-centered and sustainable models gained significant market share. These are companies like Aetna and Unilever, some of the biggest companies in the world, so this is not a niche idea. This is essential reading for leaders in a world that’s still on fire.
Why it’s on my list: Ultimately, case studies show how purpose and profit reinforce each other.
Best for: Executives aligning values and results.
Final thoughts on the best leadership books
Books spark insight—habits drive results. If you’re ready, turn ideas into daily practice, sign up for my free workshop to see how leadership skills are practiced in the workplace. One-on-Ones That Motivate.
Here’s another post that might interest you: 21 Great Leadership Coaches and What Makes Them Great.
Have a favorite I missed? Email me—I love book talk.
